New fire rescue boat officially in service

(June 9, 2026) The Davenport Fire Department officially placed its newest fire rescue boat, Big Red, into service during a christening ceremony held along the Mississippi River.

City leaders, firefighters, public safety partners, and community members gathered to celebrate the addition of the boat and learn more about its emergency response capabilities on the river. The ceremony included remarks from Fire Chief Jeff VanderWiere, City Administrator Tim Gleason, and Mayor Jason Gordon, as well as a traditional fire service washdown ceremony and blessing of the boat.

"This achievement represents a tremendous amount of teamwork, planning, and partnership," said Chief VanderWiere. "Big Red is more than a new piece of equipment. It is an investment in public safety and a reflection of our community's commitment to protecting residents and visitors on the Mississippi River."

As part of the ceremony, Davenport Fire Department Boat 5 performed a ceremonial water cannon salute and washdown of Big Red on the Mississippi River to officially put the vessel into service.

Built by North River Boats in Roseburg, Oregon, the 27-foot boat is fast and agile for optimal maneuverability during emergency operations. The boat is equipped with a 1,000-gallon-per-minute fire pump capable of supporting firefighting efforts from the water. It also includes advanced search and rescue technology, including side-scanning sonar and an underwater remotely operated vehicle equipped with a camera system to assist firefighters during rescue and recovery missions.

The total cost of the vessel was approximately $800,000, with $600,000 funded through a FEMA Port Security Grant secured by the department. Chief VanderWiere recognized Assistant Chief Tyler Schmidt for his work in obtaining grant funding and helping guide the project from planning through completion.

Big Red got its name through a contest on the Fire Department's Facebook page. Residents submitted more than 150 suggestions, with the final name chosen through public voting. Contest winners Robert DeLeon, Jassmine Robreno, and Nathan Priest were recognized during the ceremony for their winning submissions.

"Big Red is a fitting name that reflects the proud tradition of the fire service and the readiness this vessel brings to our operations," Chief VanderWiere said. "Most importantly, it is a name chosen by the people we serve. Big Red belongs to the people of Davenport."